Solon suggests EDSA private car ban

As the Christmas rush and the Southeast Asian Games are fast approaching, a lawmaker has reiterated his proposal to ban private utility vehicles on EDSA during rush hours from 6 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. to prevent the highway from turning into a “parking space.”

Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice, vice chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, explained, “This is the only way that we can help the majority of Metro Manila residents this Christmas season.”

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon said that, while he does not oppose the proposal, it should be carefully studied to determine its effect on side streets and alternate routes surrounding EDSA.

Biazon pointed out the proposal might also lead to congestion.

“A ban on private cars in EDSA will not result in all of those private vehicle owners taking public transportation,” he said.

“A majority will use other roads that are definitely smaller and easily get congested. These roads also serve as feeder and exit roads of EDSA, so the net effect may still be congestion, which would spread out to the surrounding areas,” Biazon told Daily Tribune.

He said for the private car ban on EDSA to work, a clearing and traffic plan for the alternate routes must also be proposed.